When Jamia Jackson returned from a summer camp for children with alopecia, she decided she no longer wanted to wear a wig or a hat all the time to cover her hairless head.

She wanted to be free, her mother Stephanie Jackson said.

Stephanie recognized in her daughter a sense of self confidence she had never seen before she left for the Ohio camp.

She wanted to instill that same feeling in other children with alopecia. Inspired by her hair stylist, Danielle Ward, who gave her an idea, she decided to start a support group.

The Children’s Alopecia Project of North West Texas will hold its first meeting on Oct. 15 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Bodyworks, on 4th St. and Slide.

“The whole purpose is to build the self-esteem of kids with alopecia,” Stephanie said.

Alopecia is an autoimmune disorder in which the body attacks its hair follicles, resulting in hair loss, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.

It can affect anyone of any age, and the hair loss can occur in patches, all over the scalp or all over the body.

Jamia’s hair loss began at age 3. Stephanie was washing her hair when she noticed a bald spot, the size of a quarter. She thought maybe the shampoo she used was causing Jamia’s hair to fall out.

She tried different hair products, but the spot grew larger, and soon similar ones appeared. Jackson knew there was a problem, and a doctor confirmed her suspicions. Jamia had alopecia.

There is no cure for alopecia. Few treatments are available, but none worked for Jamia. For a while she wore a hat, then a wig. Then she decided she didn’t need either.

When Jamia made this decision, Stephanie approached the staff at Wester Elementary School, where Jamia is a second grader. Principal Julie Sims and Alica Holligan, a counselor, were extremely supportive and suggested they teach the students about alopecia.

“Let’s just take the mystery out,” Holligan said she told Stephanie.

She invited Stephanie to come teach Jamia’s class about alopecia. Stephanie also wrote a curriculum for other teachers to share with their students, educating them about alopecia.

“We wanted to raise awareness,” Holligan said.

The students have even started fundraising. This spring they plan to host a walk benefiting the The Children’s Alopecia Project, Holligan said. “It’s been a really good experience for all our students,” Holligan said.